Sayings
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It
is never too late to be what you might have been |
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He didn't know
it couldn't be done, so he did it! |
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I love you today, more than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow. Anon |
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Memorial Day Thoughts, 2004 |
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This Memorial Day, one wonders what would happen if our nation were seriously
threatened by a massive armed invasion.
In this shallow society of ours, where too many people
tend to think only about "What's in it for me?," Wall Street folks would run economic analyses and
quickly determine that it would be economically impracticable to
oppose such a threat. It would make more business sense to strike a deal
and capitulate rather than fight.
After all, we live in a world economy, and surely the
victors would understand that and act accordingly.
If you think I’m running amuck, read your papers about
globalization, out-sourcing, International and
multi-international businesses, free
trade agreements, etc. I
oppose that thinking and firmly believe in nationalism: One
nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all!”
I say, “To heck with Wall Street's fuzzy thinking!”
However, our regular forces have been pared to the point
where we are using Reserves and National Guard units in
ways I doubt was ever planned or intended.
After the Cold War, our leaders misled us into believing
that we no longer required the large Service numbers as we did
during that prolonged frigid encounter.
How wrong and pitiful their depiction of what they
thought was needed as opposed to what was really the threat.
Before, we could point to Russia or China as the threats.
Nowadays, we don’t know where to focus our attention.
The terrorists could strike from anywhere by any means,
and are doing so. I'm
hoping that after June 30th, we will begin Iraqinizing Iraq, as
we Vietnamized South Vietnam, and get the hey outta' Dodge.
We took the demon down who caused his own power demise, and I'm
sure that his people, as well as his neighbors, were glad to see
him go. I'm with the President, yet cringe every time he
mentions democracy in the Middle East. In defense of the President
and his war against terrorism, we don’t have
enough fingers to plug all the holes in the dike.
Our forces are spread much too thinly, and their extended and repeated tours of duty are taxing
them and there families more than we should ask of anyone.
I praise all members of our armed forces for their sacrifices and
senses of duty, but this continued strain should be stopped as
soon as possible. The youth of this nation,
praise the Lord, appear ready to step forth and carry a share of
the load in the battle for the continued freedom we cherish in
this country, but they would need time to train.
Where then could the Services, the Guards and the
Reserves expect to seek help while the young’uns were being
trained? How 'bout the 'ol fossils
left over from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and the troops who
showed so much spunk, and get up and go in kickin' Saddam's butt
in the first war against that raving maniac.
That's who! Ya' know, the ones who aren't
"smart enough" to stay out of a war effort which they
think would benefit their beloved nation.
The rabid dogs who still say and mean, "Give me
liberty or give me death! Full
speed ahead; damn the torpedoes!
Duty... Honor... Country!” Yes, Virginia, those types
still reside within the boundaries of our nation.
Praise the Lord! |
| Some women blush when they are kissed; some call for the police; some swear; some bite. But the worst are those who laugh. Anon |
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Good is the enemy of Best,
and Best is the enemy of Better! Mr. Roger Milliken (Isn't it amazing how much can be said with so few words.) |
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Many visit the educational
fountain. A few
drink deeply. Others
drink. But most just gargle. Anon |
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Sounding off! |
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I have a friend whose hardworking, Irish-Catholic parents issued
life to one daughter and eight sons and raised them to be
productive American citizens who are proud of their nation. America could
stand more such parents; especially today when far too many
children are neglected during the critical formative years of
their lives. How unthinkable or intolerable this father's
philosophy would be to much of the business community today. That philosophy being "We
don't lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do!"
If many of this country's CEO's adhered to such words and
teachings, we would not be suffering though the current
economic malaise caused mainly by their greed in what I call
today's "shallow society": What's in it for me? Do
unto others before they do it to you!. Damn the citizens,
where's the money? And, It's alright if you don't get caught.
Factory
moves and outsourcing work to foreign countries yields million
dollar bonuses to CEO's who care less about the economic
voids left behind in communities numbering in the thousands.
Let 'em fend for themselves, they say. And the sad part
about it is our government, Democrats and Republicans alike,
apparently think that what these CEO's are doing is good for the
country. 'Scuse me, are they nibblin' No-Doze, drinkin'
Airwick, or puffin' on whacky weed? How in blue blazes
could it be good for the country when the gap between the haves
and have-nots is increasing at a rapid rate, and the middle
class is melting away? It all started approximately ten years ago with the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA.) You might recall that Ross Perot predicted that if that free trade agreement passed, there would be a great sucking sound of jobs leaving the United States. He was ridiculed! But, you know what, he was and still is right-on regarding the free trade agreements. Our forefathers built and left us a powerful, wealthy nation, and our political leaders today are giving it away. If you are asleep at the wheel and do not realize what I say is true, just ask or look around a bit. See how many friends, relatives, or acquaintances have already been impacted by such treaties, or foresee their jobs packing up and moving out of the United States in the near future. Hey, folks, Hamlet ushered words to the effect that there was a rotten 'tater in the state of Denmark. Well, let this ol' egg clue you in that one helluva odor is oozing forth in these United States of America, and it will continue to do so for many years after my generation and your generation have passed on. There is no quick recovery! Even more alarming is the fact that nothing substantial is being done to stop the flow of jobs out of this country. The bell cow is still leading us down the path toward the poor house, and none of us is causing a fuss to prevent it. Perhaps one of us should turn into a mad cow and offer opposition to the flow. But who? Beats me! Don't ask politicians because they would not provide a response until sound-bites were developed and some polls were taken. Then the polls would have to be studied, then restudied until the cows are all gone and we are left to reflect upon the good times of yesteryears. What then, egg, is the solution? Socialism! In the not-so-distant past, this word was loathed in this country, but is fast becoming a way of life. The government is having to dole out more money because good jobs are leaving and pore ol' Joe Six-Pack, and others like him, cannot find decent jobs to buy homes, food, and proper medical care for families. Republicans are out-democrating the Democrats! The government will have to grow to provide for those who cannot now provide for themselves. It's crazy. Am I a loose cannon? I don't think so. Am I an Economist? Not no, but huh-uh! I think Economists are the ones who helped sell the free trade agreements bill of goods to Congress, who should have been listening to Ross Perot. What ever happened to the old adage of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Or the idea of first taking care of your own, then helping others as best we can. Go figure. When I graduated from high school, I had good job opportunities awaiting me. However, today, way too many college graduates are returning home to live with mom and dad because decent jobs are not to be found. Globalization, free trade agreements, and outsourcing have stolen such opportunities from them. Those words –Globalization, Free Trade Agreements, and Outsourcing- are offensive to me, and should be to all Americans. |
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Successful people are those who do everything expected of them... and then some. The "and then some" effort separates the wheat from the chaff! Anonymous |
My friend tells me that the sun shines on every dawg's butt at least once during its lifetime. If so, then I'm ready to experience a warm hiney; the rear-end kind, not the beer or the wine. I’m tired of chasing bones, and look forward to nibblin’ on tidbits residing a bit higher up the hawg’s hind leg. |